LEONA’S GOT THE SPIRIT

Leona Lewis, who catapulted to fame in her native U.K. after winning that country’s televised X Factor talent competition launched by Idol Cowell, will debut at #1 on next week’s HITS Album Sales chart with her debut Spirit, edging near 200k, though the final total will probably closer to 190k.

That’s based on one-day sales reports from our crack team of retail reporters around the country who are still standing.

Lewis’ album has already spawned the hit single, “Bleeding Love,” as Team RCA, led by Davis and EVP Richard Palmese, bring the song all the way home.

WB Nashville’s James Otto is the next highest bow, with 50-60k, while Christian-surf rockers P.O.D.’s new INO/Columbia album, When Angels and Serpents Dance, could high step its way to 40k give or take, depending on the religious bookstore factor.

Nine Inch Nails’ Null Corp./RED instrumental album, already available via the band’s website, will hit the streets in physical form with about 25-30k in sales.

The new album from Hollywood Records YouTube breakout Marie Digby will Unfold with just shy of 20k in sales, the same amount expected for Island/IDJ rockers Ashes Divide’s Keep Telling Myself It’s Alright, the band formed by A Perfect Circle’s Billy Howerdel with veteran drummer Josh Freese.

Next week, it’s all about Island/IDJ’s Mariah Carey album, E=MC2, which hits retail on the heels of two appearances on American Idol and one next Monday (4/14) on Oprah as well as the smash hit single, “Touch My Body.”

The market was up 4% vs last week, down 24% vs. same week last year, which was Easter, and now down 12% year-to-date.